Juneteenth joy at 'Historically Black Phrases Live!'

The Emancipator on Juneteenth proudly partnered with authors jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson for their Boston stop of “Historically Black Phrases Live!,” a national touring game show experience based on their NAACP Image Award-winning book, Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’ From shouting out “Blackfamous” faces to belting out karaoke battles, the contestants and the audience brought the house down at WBUR’s CitySpace.

It was a night that celebrated and uplifted the richness and sharp wit of Black culture, and suffice to say, we had a ball.

The quiz show featured three notable Bostonians as contestants: Sunn m’Cheaux, Porsha Olayiwola and Claudiane Philippe. M’Cheaux teaches Gullah in the African Language program at Harvard University and is an artist, advocate and social media sensation. Olayiwola is Boston’s current poet laureate, an Individual World Slam Poetry champion and the founder of the Roxbury Poetry Festival. Philippe is a product designer, fashion model and one of Boston’s top beauty and lifestyle influencers, and runs the popular blog and social media platform Nail the Cocktail.

Olayiwola had a strong early lead, but underdog Philippe made an inspiring comeback by completing lyrics to music from iconic Black artists and TV show theme songs. Neither bested m’Cheaux, whose consistently strong game and knowledge of regional Black lexicons carried him to a victorious end. The true winners were the audience, who were treated to a show like no other.

About Historically Black Phrases

Black vernacular doesn’t often get its due, despite its enormous influence on mainstream culture — but Historically Black Phrases gives it proper credit and context. A celebration of more than 200 staples of Black conversation — from church sayings and units of measure to compliments and reprimands — this sharp and witty guide explores the unique importance of Black expression and communication. Historically Black Phrases offers definitions and notable pop culture moments, as well as tips on pronunciation and usage of phrases like “feelin’ yourself,” “don’t get it twisted” and “pop off.” In addition to the phrases, short essays offer insight on different facets of Black language from scholars, entertainers and pop culture commentators.Authors, journalists and hosts of the award-winning podcast “FANTI,” jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson examine each phrase with humor and cultural precision, making Historically Black Phrases an essential tribute to Black language’s influence on the world.